Real Stories of Good Liturgy: Saint Paul's Chapel, New York City
What might worship might look like that is a “Public Work” for pilgrims who visit the 9/11 memorial at St. Paul’s Chapel adjacent to Ground Zero in New York City? Donald Schell describes the power liturgy has to create meaningful connections between worshippers and visitors pouring off tour buses.

When Signs Signify
The meaning of our sacraments must be transparent, reminds liturgical theologian Louis Weil. We see, feel, touch, hear and smell the rites of the Church, and we experience the transformation they effect. Anything less than that trivializes those sacramental rites.

Baptism or Confirmation?
Bishop Doss asks whether we really believe that Baptism is at the heart of Christian ministry in the Church. In this historical review, he warns us that recent General Convention actions are returning Confirmation to a
central role we decided against over thirty years ago.

As a companion piece to Doss’ article, Robert Brooks reports on recent years’ efforts to respond to the canonical actions of General Convention, and the amazing coalition of theologians, bishops, educators, parish clergy and others who have been energized to bring Baptism back to the center of our understanding of ministry, while addressing the needs of the Church for adequate formation and leadership training.

Against Inclusivity
Juan Oliver begins his article “As a Latino Episcopalian, I am against being ‘included.’” What are the special liturgical gifts of bicultural Episcopalians, and what are the opportunities for the vast majority of “monocultural” Episcopalians?

Going to Church in the First Century
Jamie Howison’s parish in Winnipeg—already highly identified as a table-centered, Eucharistic community—experiences a richer engagement with the meaning of Eucharist as they gather to practice pre-Nicene liturgies.

Faith on the Ground
Amy McCreath introduces us to the chaplaincy at the University of Michigan which finds that the practical meaning of Christian living is revealed through intentional engagement with the lives and stories of the saints.

In the same file, Rebecca Wolf, a student at the University of Michigan, preaches on how the story of Constance and Her Companions reveals the meaning of her own choices and vocation as a follower of Jesus.
 

Articles from previous issues of Open—Fall 2007 Issue

Editor's Note and Real Stories of Good Liturgy
Rochester Jazz—What does good liturgy look like? This is the first in a series of "Real Stories of Good Liturgy." From a member of a parish in Rochester, we read a sparkling description of a spectacular Jazz Mass. Carlos Mercado brings the downbeats alive.

The Shape of Liturgy is the Shape of Mission, by Joe Morris Doss
The mission of the church must be that which God is up to. It must be that cosmic, that important, that good. So begins Joe Morris Doss' inspiring article on how Justin Martyr's 2nd century description of liturgy reveals the heart of the Church's mission. How do we know that thanksgiving and justice are our mission in Christ? Our ancient liturgy reminds us every week, says Bp. Doss.

An Anglican/Emerging Church Synthesis, by Leslie Nipps
What implications does the emerging church have for Episcopal worship? This article by an investigative priest, moved by the missionary liveliness of the emerging church, describes the genius and weakness of this new movement, and how it might be a resource for the renewal of our own missional tradition.

The Lord Shall Watch Over Your Going Out and Your Coming In, by John Hill
The end and the beginning of our Eucharistic worship are not the bookends of the liturgy; they are, says John Hill, the bookends of our daily baptismal life. In that light, what intention do we bring to these vital moments in our common worship? How might we re-think our "gathering and sending" rites?

Sanctifying Time on a College Campus, by Amy McCreath
Chaplain's column—Where can we find active, creative re-imagining of Eucharistic community? Let's look the renewal of college and university chaplaincies says Amy McCreath, chaplain at MIT. This inaugural column describes the unique lifeways of college students, and how one campus ministry is celebrating and marking them. The first in a series.

Book Review
The International Anglican Liturgical Consultation (IALC) has been a leading voice in the development of the liturgy for over twenty years. Leonel Mitchell reviews an historical of this group and its work for the Anglican Communion.

Membership Form

Back page